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Rangers add new faces to scouting staff

by
Staff Writer
/ New York Rangers

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has promoted Jeff Gorton to Assistant Director, Player Personnel, and Larry Bernard and Kevin Maxwell have been added to the club’s scouting staff.

Gorton enters his second season with the Rangers having previously served one season as a professional scout for the club. In his expanded role, he will assist Director, Player Personnel, Gordie Clark, in overseeing all aspects of both the team’s professional and amateur scouting operations.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Gorton spent 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins organization, serving as the team’s Assistant General Manager during the final seven years of his tenure, where he was involved in contract negotiations, scouting and the team’s AHL affiliate in Providence, RI.

He also served as the club's Interim General Manager from March 27, 2006 to July 8, 2006, directing the Bruins’ efforts at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and negotiating contracts and trades at the start of the 2006 free agency period. He originally joined the Bruins organization in their public relations department at the beginning of the 1992-93 season.

In October of 1994, he became the Bruins Director of Scouting Information, where he created the scouting database which networks the club’s scouts via computer, and coordinated video on prospects in preparation of the annual NHL Entry Draft in addition to scouting assignments. Gorton is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a degree in physical education, and Springfield College with a Masters in sports management.

Bernard enters his first season as an amateur scout with the Rangers. He will be responsible for covering the NCAA, CCHA, WCHA, USHL, and NAHL, as well as the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He previously served as an amateur scout with the Tampa Bay Lightning, joining the club prior to the 2003-2004 season. Prior to his tenure in Tampa Bay, Bernard spent five seasons coaching at the junior level in Canada with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), the Prince George Cougars and Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The Prince George, British Columbia native was originally drafted by the Rangers in the eighth round, 154th overall, in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.

Maxwell enters his first season as a professional scout with the Rangers. He will be responsible for covering select teams in the NHL and minor leagues in North America. He previously served as a professional scout with the Dallas Stars, where he focused on both North America and Europe. Prior to his tenure in Dallas, Maxwell held various roles with the New York Islanders’ organization, including professional scout for six years and Director of Professional Scouting for two years. In 1994-95, he served as Director of Player Personnel with the Hartford Whalers.

A veteran of four NHL seasons, Maxwell appeared in 66 games with the Minnesota North Stars, Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils, registering six goals and 15 assists for 21 points, along with 61 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the third round, 63rd overall, in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Additionally, he represented Canada in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, New York.